Memories Forgotten and Found
Chapters: 2
Word Count: 2,937
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or anything that is taken from that series. I also do not own the initial idea that set the ball rolling, which is the story of Anastasia (the version which inspired me was the 20th Century Fox Animated Movie). I also do not own anything that even reminds people of novels by Tamora Pierce, even though the concepts for Healing and generic magic were inspired by her. I also do not own any of the lyrics or songs which inspired each individual chapter.

GN: Welcome to the second installment of "Memories". In this chapter you will meet some of the main characters, and be introduced to the central conflict which permeates the rest of the story. There is a lot of information in this chapter, and ye be warned.
As a reminder, each of the chapters is inspired by either a song or a specific line from a song.
I challenge thee to decipher the song and be the first to guess it.


Chapter Two: In Which I'll Write Home Everyday

The large, worn, gray building that deceivingly held so much laughter and love melted into the surrounding hills which were currently devoid of snow. Lil Rose Walker sighed, gazing upon the sight for the last time. That particular Wizarding Orphanage had been her home ever since she could remember, and she would always miss it, but remember the place with fondness. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes as she thought about all of the little tykes that she was leaving behind; the children who had affectionately called her 'Momma Lil'. Her heart broke when she thought about all the destruction that was causing more and more children to be sent to Orphanages, and she contemplated, not for the first time, going back and helping. But she couldn't.

There wasn't much she could do. True, she did have a basic education, but she didn't have the one that she could have had at Hogwarts. Lord Voldemort was rising like a hot air balloon on a pleasant day without much breeze, and Lil was petrified that the people she cherished most in this world would be gone forever.

She continued walking. It was a clear autumn day, very few clouds tainted the skies, and the road, dusty from the unusual lack of precipitation, unwound gracefully before her tiny feet. Distracted, she fingered the necklace which had been found about her neck when she had been taken to the Orphanage. Inspected carefully, one could make out an inscription in flowing silver lettering: "Together in Karlieh". These ominous silver words were surrounded by an intricate, almost oceanic pattern of light and dark turquoise. The entire pendant, which she believed to be some sort of locket but was unable to open, was set on a thin silver chain which reached to the middle of her chest. It obviously had significant monetary value, but Lil couldn't trade it for anything in the whole world. Anything that is, except for all her memories before she was found.

Lil, on the average scale, was a small girl. Approximately 5 feet tall, she was 18 years old but still sported the energy of a child, and the maturity of wizards twice her age. Her long, wavy to the point of frizzy, auburn hair reached the small of her back and swayed pleasantly as she walked. Her almond-shaped, emerald-colored orbs that were usually bright and sparkling with amusement were closed with enjoyment as she took a deep breath of the crisp fall air, allowing it to fill her body, and finally releasing it slowly.

Idly, she contemplated her name-something she didn't do often. While indicative of her small size, her acquaintances would protest that the name applied to her spirit. She was uncommonly generous and kind, so much so that Headmaster Dumbledore remarked about her traits that "if we could stretch it as far as it would go, it would encompass the world twice over and then some". Her vivacity and hunger for knowledge occasionally marked her as meddlesome, but it was rather infectious.

Lil Rose Walker was not her real name-or at least, not the name she was born with, unless it was an ironic twist of fate. The description of her size had stuck, and Lil had not the slightest inclination to change it. She had been found wandering the roads when she was about eight years old, and immediately taken to the local Healers, who had declared a permanent state of amnesia, and then to a nearby Wizarding Orphanage when it was discovered that she had magical talent. She had been trained to defend herself, apparate, and legally use magic, but it wasn't enough for her.

Lil was disappointed that she had never actually been able to go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, which was the most popular, safe and respected school that Wizarding parents wanted their children to attend. To her knowledge, she didn't have any family to support her application, so she didn't go. Headmaster Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore had come to the orphanage as often as he could to train Lil and other children the same age and older than herself.

The wandering was imperative, because Lil had absolutely no idea where Karlieh was. When she had questioned her professor, he had said that it was very old, you could not simply apparate into the realm, and he warned her against going there. From what she knew, the Dark Lord had destroyed the reigning family almost ten years ago, successfully murdering all save two; a little girl named Lily and her grandmother Marie.

She stopped at a crossroads, pondering which way to go, when her stomach released a growl of protest. Sitting at the road-sign distinguishing the locations to where each road would lead, she opened her pack and took out some bread, cheese and some milk that she had managed to keep cool. As she was eating her bread she pondered what she knew of the family, subconsciously determining her course.

The Evans' family was large, with five children; four daughters, and a son. Petunia, Violet, Rose, Lily and Benjamin. She found it amusing that the daughters were named after flowers and wondered about the significance of the name of the son. From what she had read, Benjamin had been often ill during his short life, a most unusual circumstance for the vibrant and active family. The parents, Nicholas and Danielle, had been the most genuinely kind, caring and respectful rulers that Karlieh had ever seen. When she had questioned Professor Dumbledore about them, he voiced the grave opinion that Voldemort, because of the equality and respect in Karlieh, had believed them to be "blood traitors" and was therefore compelled to extinguish them.

Her professor had also gracefully left the conversation with an interesting tidbit that wasn't covered in any history book: each child had so much magic and potential that one skill shone above all others. For Petunia it involved thread and cloth, though she was never mistaken for a seamstress because of her vivid temper. Violet had the gift of Healing, and eventually would have been Chief Healer in Karlieh. Young Rose had shown an affinity for Herbology and other Earthly magics, her rapidly expanding power consisting of natural elements and materials borrowed directly from the earth in their raw form. Benjamin possessed the talent of Weather Magic, and if he had survived he would have become the most powerful Weather Wizard-though no one surmised that he would ever have been able to conduct weather in raw tones without severe consequences to the landscape and himself. Finally, little Lily had a connection with all living creatures that had penetrated deeper than had ever been recorded. Lily would also have the ability, as she grew older, to have "premonitions" or "visions" that would enable Lily to see things beyond her control. This could have had to do with her ability to communicate with all living beings, and was a sketchy gift.

Lil was awakened from her musings by the soft 'mew' of a kitten. Placing her food aside, she rose to investigate.

After a moment, she determined that the kitten was nowhere in sight, but she kept hearing that soft cry. So she listened. There, behind the brush-she discovered a fox trap which held the struggling kitten. Bending over, she murmured softly to the vulnerable animal and released it from bondage. To her surprise, the kitten did not flee, but stared up at her with green eyes flecked with brown. Sighing, she straightened with her arms akimbo. "I s'ppose this means I have to keep an eye on you now."

In response, the kitten purred and began to twine around her feet. Picking the small, white cat up she moved back to where her food was and began to feed her new charge.

On a bare branch several meters away, a snowy owl observed the odd scene. This snowy owl was a little different from the other members of her species, tending towards sleeping at night rather than during the day. She also thought quite a bit and observed others, which is unusual for wild owls. Yet, those weren't the only things-this snowy owl was on a mission, for lack of a better term, to comb forests and various uninhabited areas for a certain lost princess.

Now, the majority of the Wizarding World had long accepted that Lily Evans had probably died with her family, though there was no body. The belief of the minority was then the direct opposite, and what this snowy owl worked with. Dowager Empress Marie, Crown Prince James Potter, Sirs Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew, Headmaster Dumbledore, Headmistress McGonagall, as well as numerous others-one of which being Tom Riddle. This particular snowy owl would have most certainly known whether young Lily had died because of her connection with animals. Miss Evans had reached the point in her growth that her untimely demise would have rendered a dramatic shift in the natural balance-and yet, there was no such disturbance. Other prominent members in the Minority would have been aware of Lily's departure from the mortal realms as well. The Dowager Empress would have been aware because of the bond between grandmother and youngest grandchild. The Crown Prince and his Marauding friends would have missed their final Marauder. The snowy owl had picked up the names they had used, and noticed that after Voldemort's attack, they had never used them again.

Stretching her wings, she kicked off the stripped branch, landing gently on the young woman's shoulder.

"Why hullo there, mum," Lil smiled. "My, aren't you a beaut?" She reached into her bag of meager provisions and produced a sugar cube, offering it to the owl in place of a legitimate treat. "Now, why aren't you asleep, wise one?"

It's far too jolly to sleep in the day; it's much nicer to sleep in peace after it sets, the snowy owl responded, curious as to the girl's reaction.

The woman regarded her a moment with her emerald eyes, calculating in her head. "You talked to me, didn't you?

The owl responded with a solemn nod-though secretly she was ecstatic.

"Well, I'm inclined to agree, mum. What should I call you, aside from 'mum', that is?" Lil asked, her curiosity piqued. This wasn't the first time something had communicated with her-in fact she had grown used to it over the years. But the owl puzzled her; she liked puzzles.

Hedwig, if you please dear.

"Alright, Hedwig. What's your purpose?" Lil asked, taking the owl down from her shoulder to her knee so she didn't have to crane her head so far.

I am looking for someone.

"Who?"

Full of questions, aren't we?

Lil blushed and ducked her head, though her eyes held a sparkle of amusement.

She's about your age, your coloring, with much power.

Lil frowned as she stroked the kitten in her lap. "Why ever would she be missing?"

Events that took place long ago separated her from her path. I am charged with finding her and returning her to safety and those that love her, Hedwig answered, inwardly confident that this was little Lily.

Lil smiled sadly as she fingered her locket. She wished that someone was looking for her.

"How long have you been looking?" Lil asked.

It'll be ten years in a few months, Hedwig answered, careful not to give too much away.

Lil frowned. I wonder if she's looking for that little girl, she pondered.

Indeed my dear, I am, Hedwig responded.

Lil's face held one of mild surprise. "I didn't speak. Yet, you heard me. I can communicate through thought as well?"

Hedwig hooted. It would seem so.

Indeed it would, Lil mused, a wry smile on her face. I have a question for you, mum.

Hedwig regarded her curiously, silently asking her to continue.

I'm a little lost, she admitted sheepishly. My original plan was to travel to Karlieh, or what was left. It's such a curiosity, and I wanted to see it before I moved on with my life. Do you happen to know which way to go?

Hedwig was silent, though her thoughts were scrambling everywhere. She wants to go to the old palace. Oh dear.

I can bring you there, little one. I must warn you against going, though.

I know of the dangers, Hedwig, Lil responded quickly. Dumbledore has already tried his hardest to deter me to no avail.

Hedwig was again thrown for a loop. You were a student at Hogwarts?

Lil shook her head, scowling at the ground. No, events occurred that prevented me from doing so.

Hedwig paused, weighing the options of pressing the matter or letting it pass.

The kitten was now incredibly bored, so she started playing with the one thing that was nearby and shiny-Lil's necklace.

"Uh-uh, I don't think so, little one," Lil smiled at the innocent expression of the kitten. "You'll break the chain and manage to swallow it, and I don't fancy you'll enjoy that."

The kitten seemed to pout as she sat down with a little more force than necessary.

Hedwig was amused. What was she swiping at?

My locket, Lil replied, closing her hand around it. Hedwig hooted softly and nudged her hand, so as to get a better look.

They say curiosity killed the cat, but in this case, curiosity would have ended up feeding the cat. Hedwig's thoughts scrambled in every direction as she weighed her options. This was her proof.

"Now, m'dear, do you have a name?" Lil asked, a motherly tone to her voice.

No, mum. I'd like one if it wasn't too much trouble, she replied in a small voice.

Lil pondered. "Síocháin (1) would suit you I believe," Lil suggested.

What does it mean? Hedwig asked, curious.

It means 'peace' in a language that I barely learned, but some of my friends speak...spoke the language fluently, Lil responded, hoping Hedwig didn't notice the slip.

Síocháin purred in delight at her new name, and Lil scratched her tummy as she purred. Noticing a dark spot, she chuckled. Feeling Hedwig's amber eyes on her, she elaborated. She has a small spot on her stomach, and I was reminded of my own birthmark.

Hedwig hooted softly. Where's yours?

Lil lifted her shirt slightly, showing Hedwig a small, crude heart that was only a few shades darker than Lil's exceedingly fair skin. Another piece of proof.

Lil righted her shirt and stretched, concerned about the rapid decay in light. I need to keep going, Hedwig. You mentioned that you knew my destination?

Hedwig spread her wings and flew to a nearby branch, watching as Lil settled little Síocháin in a threadbare pocket. Taking in the young woman's appearance, Hedwig concluded that she wasn't a runaway, nor was she wealthy. She also noted the sheer amount of magic which permeated the vicinity. Certainly, this young woman was powerful and cannot have escaped the attention of someone in an authoritative position-for both sides. Shifting her weight between claws, Hedwig was nervous. She knew that she had to get to Dumbledore, and she knew that she could not leave the girl alone. Who knew what trouble she'd get into in Karlieh, on purpose or accidental. She pushed her thoughts aside so as not to give the girl worry, but she couldn't help but wonder . . . and hope.


(1) Síocháin means "peace" according to Irishionary (dot) com . I am unsure of how it is pronounced, but I pronounce it (probably incorrectly) like Sheeoh-kawn. If anyone really knows how to say the name, please communicate it in a review or PM.


GN: Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, Sugar is Sweet and So are Reviews!

P.S. The title of the first chapter is from "A Day in the Life" by The Beatles on Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (©1967)